Did You Know Your Tension-Type Headache Might Originate in Your Back?

If you are an office worker, you might find yourself prone to tension-type headaches. These tension headaches can be dull, or throbbing, and make it hard for you to concentrate on your work. But why do you get them? Did you ever consider just how these headaches happen? Is it just general “stress”? Or is it something more?

The Relationship Between Tension Headaches and Your Back It turns out that tension-type headaches may actually have something to do with the muscles in our back. Specifically, one study found that tenderness in the trapezius muscles was correlated with tension-type headaches in female office workers. (We can assume that this is similar for male office workers, as well.) If you look at a picture of the trapezius muscles, this connection makes a lot more sense. The trapezius muscles, or “traps” for short, are muscles that lay along the spine at the top part of the back. They fan out like diamonds, stretching up into your neck and down into the midsection of the back. Spending a lot of time hunched over a desk or peering into a computer most likely puts stress on these muscles as the head is tilted forward too much in what is called “forward head posture.” These muscles connect to the muscles of the head and face, encouraging stress and pain.

Chiropractic Care for Tension-Type Headache Fortunately, we have a way to safely treat these headaches through expert chiropractic care. Contact us today for a consultation!

Too Much Food Variety in Your Diet Can Lead to Unhealthy Eating

The American Heart Association (AHA) is now questioning the assumption that eating a diverse array of foods is good for your health. This has been a diet recommendation for years, but doctors and nutritionists don’t agree on what an "array" or "variety" of food means. In fact, including a wide variety of food in your diet may actually be unhealthy. According to new studies, diversity in food choices is tied to poor diet, including eating refined sugars and grains, processed food, and sugar-laden drinks. Doctors once recommended getting a variety of food in your diet because it helps you get all the vitamins and nutrients you need. However, with the rise of cheap junk food and its availability, people are confusing variety with quality. The AHA Behavioral Change for Improving Health Factors Committee reviewed fairly recent studies on the topic of food variety in the diet, including its impact on obesity and eating patterns. Overall, they came to the conclusion that diversity in the diet doesn't necessarily connect to healthy habits. In fact, they discovered evidence suggesting that eating a wider variety of foods is tied to eating more food in general, poor eating habits, and gaining weight. Instead, researchers promote eating a large variety of healthy foods, including whole grains, veggies, and fruits.